New Delhi, India, 30 March 2005 - The Singapore Tourism Board (STB) opened today its New Delhi Regional Office as part of its continuing worldwide efforts to strengthen its marketing position as a destination of choice for business and leisure travellers in the Asia Pacific. The official opening was graced by the Tourism Minister of India, Ms Renuka Choudhary, and STB's Deputy Chairman and Chief Executive, Mr Lim Neo Chian.
The New Delhi Regional Office is the STB’s 21st worldwide and third in India, and attests to the rising significance of the Indian market to Singapore’s tourism industry. As a demonstration of the STB’s commitment to the growth potential of India, the New Delhi office will complement its two incumbent offices in Mumbai and Chennai.
The STB's Deputy Chairman and Chief Executive, Mr Lim Neo Chian, said: “In 2004, Singapore welcomed a record high of 471,000 Indian visitors, making India our 6th largest visitor-generating market. This represents a 21% growth over the previous record of 375,000 Indian visitors we achieved in 2002. In tandem with the buoyant growth forecast of the Indian economy, we are confident that India will continue to be amongst Singapore’s fastest growth markets.”
“The establishment of the STB’s Regional Office in New Delhi had been mooted with the objective of strengthening Singapore’s market presence in Northern and Eastern India. The New Delhi office will enable the STB to deepen partnerships with the Indian travel industry, as well as provide potential Indian visitors from these regions with more timely and effective access to information and customer service support for their travel to Singapore. Having an official presence in New Delhi will also render the STB a key platform to enhance collaborations with India’s Tourism Ministry to promote international travel to both countries,” Mr Lim added.
For a start, both Tourism Authorities will embark on a collaboration to market Singapore and selected cities in India as joint destinations to Australian travellers. Such collaboration will take the form of trade and media familiarisation trips to be undertaken sometime in the third quarter of 2005, as well as joint presentations to the travel industry in a few Australian cities.
The STB’s Regional Office in New Delhi is located on the Ground Floor of the International Trade Tower, Nehru Place. With the launch of its New Delhi office, the STB hopes to enhance Singapore’s position in India as a top-of-mind destination for leisure, business and other services.
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